Felger & Mazz: Thoughts on the Alex Verdugo trade to the New York Yankees
The Boston Red Sox traded outfielder Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night in exchange for three pitchers. On Wednesday’s Felger and Mazz the guys gave their thoughts on the move by the Red Sox.
Thoughts on the Red Sox trade of Alex Verdugo…
Mazz: So Chaim Bloom is gone but his memory lives on. Tell me how this is different than any move he would have made…
Felger: Would he have made a trade with the Yankees?
Mazz: Sure.
Felger: Think so?
Mazz: Yeah, sure. Why not? Yes. Again, a nothing trade like this? And when I say a nothing trade, I’m being serious. When you look at the kind of deal they just made, and I’m not telling you it’s a bad deal or good deal, I’m just talking about the type of deal it is: an arbitration eligible outfielder who is going to make about $10 million bucks and is going to be headed to free agency, we’re going to dump him and we’re going to pick up three fringe pitchers and hope that we hit on a lottery ticket.
Felger: Sounds like you’re not…
Mazz: No, that’s what it is. Listen.
Felger: Other than the Yankees part, you’re right, it’s a Chaim Bloom trade.
Mazz: Totally.
Jim Murray: But other than the financial aspect of it, shouldn’t he have been moved, given his attitude and all of that?
Mazz: Yeah. Again, so if you’re asking me about do I like the deal or dislike the deal, I would tell you, and this is a total copout, I would say I’m largely indifferent.
Felger: No, you’re not. Because by your tone and by saying that it’s a Chaim Bloom move, that is not a positive endorsement.
Mazz: How does it help them now?
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 23: Alex Verdugo #99 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after lining out with two runners on-base during the eighth inning of their 1-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park on September 23, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Felger: You’re saying you’re ambivalent, but by linking it to what Chaim Bloom would do, you’re dumping on it.
Mazz: How does it help them now?
Felger: It doesn’t.
Mazz: Okay. So then you agree?
Felger: Yes, absolutely. I’m not saying I agree or disagree. I just wouldn’t say you’re ambivalent when you come right out and say this is something Chaim Bloom would do. That’s not an ambivalent take. That’s like, more of the same.
Mazz: I mean, it might help them down the road. I don’t know. I can’t predict to you what these three guys are. I have no clue.
Jim Murray: It’s Mike’s way of telling you to own your anger.
Mazz: And I don’t love Verdugo. I never did. And I’ve heard from a lot of different people offering a lot of different thoughts and I would tell you that generally what people are feeling is justified. Like I had someone say to me, “why couldn’t they get more for Verdugo?”, and I would tell you that I think a lot of people have that response. And I would say, what did Alex Verdugo do here that was good. And when I say good, I mean, what skill does he have that is significantly above average?
Jim Murray: He can hit for power-ish.
Mazz: No.
J-Stew: He showed up late at an elite level to games.
Mazz: Correct. Yup, he was an elite screw up.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Worst Red Sox offseasons of my life time
2019-2020
Hiring Chaim Bloom to trade Mookie Betts
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on September 28, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
On October 25, 2019, the Red Sox hired 36-year-old Chaim Bloom as Chief Baseball Officer from the Tampa Rays were Bloom was the Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, that hiring began the downward spiral of the Boston Red Sox to where we are today. I’m always open to a good conspiracy theory and mine is that Bloom hired by the Red Sox to make the Mookie Betts trade and in February 2020 Betts was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a five-player swap. The Red Sox also sent left handed pitcher David Price to LA in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo, catcher Connor Wong, and infield prospect Jeter Downs. The moment the Mookie Betts trade was made we all knew it was a disaster.
Jeter Downs is gone following a December 2022 waiver claim.
Alex Verdugo has shown flashed of being a top player on the Red Sox but on and off the field issues have kept him from being a two way impact player.
Connor Wong might be the last man standing from the Betts trade but his clock is ticking as the Red Sox drafted Kyle Teel.
Bloom is now sitting at home, bitter at the Red Sox for not being a good leader of Baseball Operations and being mocked in the media.
2014-2015
Pablo and Hanley
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY SportsMay 10, 2018, Bronx, NY, USA: Boston Red Sox designated hitter Hanley Ramirez hits an RBI single against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. (Photo Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports)
I think this was the beginning of the end for Larry Lucchino as the man who “runs the Red Sox”. He went for a big splash and found no water in the pool by signing Hanley Ramirez and former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval.
Hanley Ramírez signed a four-year, $88 million deal with a fifth year vesting option worth $22 million to return to the Boston Red Sox. They announced plans to play him in left field, even though he had only previously played shortstop and third base in his career. Hanley in 429 games hit .260 with 78 home runs, 255 RBIs and a .777 OPS. He was released by the Boston Red Sox on May 30th of 2018.
Pabl0 Sandoval signed a five-year, $90 million contract with a sixth year club option of $17 million or a $5 million buy-out with the Boston Red Sox. Pablo in 161 games hit .237 with 14 home runs, 59 RBIs and a .646 OPS. He also liked a few Instagram models during games. He was released by the Boston Red Sox on July 19, 2017.
Both Hanley and Pablo failed in Boston.
2011-2012
Bobby Valentine
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 25: Manager Bobby Valentine #25 of the Boston Red Sox watches the pregame ceremony honoring the 2004 World Series Champion team prior to the game against Tampa Bay Rays on September 25, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
What a mess he was. Bobby Valentine was introduced by Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington on December 2, 2011, as the 45h manager of the Boston Red Sox and reportedly against Cherington’s suggestion. Valentine was supposedly a Larry Lucchino hire while Ben Cherington wanted Dale Sveum, who was hired by the Chicago Cubs. Valentine’s only season with Boston was marred by injuries, public feuds with players like Dustin Pedroia, run-ins with the media, and terrible relationships with his coaches. The 2012 Red Sox finished last in the AL East at 69–93, their worst record in 47 years. Valentine was fired by the Red Sox on October 4, 2012. He should have been fired on the same day the Red Sox traded Gonzalez and Crawford to the Dodgers.
1990
Suck, Suck and Suck
After getting smoked in the 1990 ALCS by the Oakland A’s, The Red Sox went out and signed Jack Clark, Matt Young and Danny Darwin. To quote Mazz, suck, suck and suck. Jack Clark was 35, Matt Young was 32 and Danny Darwin was 35. As a youth, I was less than thrilled. I watched the Matt Young no hitter live on a Sunday afternoon in Cleveland and knew when he lost that game the Sox that season were porked. I still have nightmares about the actual end of the 1991 Red Sox season which was Jeff Reardon and Matt Young blowing a game against the Yankees in mid September.
2010-2011
Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford
Elsa/Getty ImagesComing out of high school, the then-Florida Marlins made Gonzalez the first overall pick in 2000. After a successful stint with the Padres, he was traded to the Red Sox in 2010 for a package that included future star Anthony Rizzo. Gonzalez put up decent overall numbers with the Red Sox but was vocally unhappy with the situation. He was sent to the Dodgers in 2012 in the famous “Nick Punto trade.”
The “Best Team Ever Created” in Red Sox history went 90-72 and finished third in the American League East. We all loved Theo trading prospects for All Star Adrian Gonzalez. Impact hitter and defender at first. What many fans didn’t understand, along with owner John Henry, why are we signing Carl Crawford? Crawford just didn’t fit. Most of us saw that. The Red Sox opening day line up in Texas was, Ellsbury, Pedroia, Crawford, Youkilis, Gonzalez, Ortiz, Cameron, Saltalamacchia, Scutaro. In what world is Crawford the three hitter? The fact he signed a seven-year, $142-million contract was the reason why.
2013-2014
NOTHING
The Red Sox won the World Series and did NOTHING. They had all the answers and made the choice to sign only 37 year old catcher A.J. Pierzynski. They went from World Series champions to 71-91.
